Game 33: Cavs at Nets

WHAT HAPPENED?: For the second consecutive game, the Cavs faced an opponent with an identical record.The Nets were playing without starting centers Brook Lopez (broken bone in his foot) and Kevin Garnett (inactive). It didn't seem to make any difference. The Cavs thumped the Nets on the boards, 45-33.The Cavs couldn't make a shot. They shot just 36.7 percent from the field and managed 82 points, season lows for a Nets' opponent this season.They managed just three players in double figures in scoring, led by guard Dion Waiters' 26 points. Guard C.J. Miles added 19 points and Matthew Dellavedova 13. That was about it for the offensively challenged Cavs.They had just 14 assists. Seven of them were from Jarrett Jack. Waiters didn't have an assist,These were two of the league's most disappointing teams. The Nets had championship aspirations, but for the life of me, I don't know why. They were showing their age from the start. When the Nets lost Lopez for the rest of the season, that was the final blow.The Cavs will missed point guard Kyrie Irving's scoring and playmaking in this game. I'd be shocked if he played on Sunday against Indiana due to his bruised left knee.The Cavs are 2-15 on the road this year, worst in the NBA. Not that they are great at home, but at least at The Q, they usually put up a fight. On the road, that's not been the case.They've lost four in a row on the road in Brooklyn.

Cavs center Anderson Varejao has pulled down 37 rebounds in the last two games. He had 12 on Saturday.The Nets started 6-8 Reggie Evans at center. He more than held his own against Varejao with 11 rebounds.As terrible as the Cavs have played, they are just two games behind No. 8 Charlotte in the Eastern Conference playoff race.UP NEXT: The Cavs host Indiana at 6 p.m. Sunday at Quicken Loans Arena.